Jones out of Palace clash as Hughes sends Stoke's AWOL striker a message

Mark Hughes says Kenwyne Jones will play no part in this weekend’s clash at Crystal Palace after the striker declared himself unavailable to play for Stoke City last week.

The Potters’ chief said that the Trinidad and Tobago striker ‘maybe had those events on his mind’ as he confirmed that Stoke will travel to Selhurst Park without the £8m striker.

Jones was fined two weeks’ wages – about £80,000 – after texting Hughes the night before the clash against Liverpool to say he wouldn’t be playing.

Getting the message: Kenwyne Jones will not feature for Stoke against Crystal Palace on Saturday

A fine mess: Jones is around £80,000 poorer after being hit in the pocket for refusing to play

Hughes was dumbfounded by the player’s missive and talks on Monday between the club and the player’s representatives, aimed at sorting out the issue, ended with no real resolution.

'All that has been reported was what happened,' said Hughes. 'Kenwyne has been fined. It’s not something that should have happened.

'We spoke on Monday just to get an understanding of why it happened.

'He has been in training this week but he won’t be involved this weekend. Maybe the events of last week are still on his mind.'

What are you thinking? Mark Hughes says Jones is not in the correct frame of mind to play against Palace

Everton have been mooted as possible suitors with a loan deal thought to be on the cards, although Hughes rejected that notion too.

'Maybe the problem is people are telling him there are clubs in for him,' he said, 'I haven’t had any contact from anyone. The information is not what it seems from the outside. A lot of things happen.

'It’s unfortunate. None of us saw it coming. We are disappointed with it.

'Kenwyne made a decision. Maybe at some point in the future he will recognise that. I have view on it, it’s best to move on.'